Ga State Wulomo calls for greater male involvement in maternal health

The Ga Traditional Area has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Government’s Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health Emergency Response, aimed at reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths across Ghana.

Speaking at the national launch of the initiative, Numo Kofi Okassa Diaka II, Ga State Wulomo, who represented the Ga Traditional Council, conveyed the support of His Royal Majesty the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, and called for stronger collaboration among traditional authorities, government, health institutions, families, religious bodies and communities.

Numo Kofi Okassa Diaka II commended President John Dramani Mahama and the Government for placing maternal and newborn health among the important national development priorities.

He stressed that protecting the lives of mothers and newborns goes beyond the provision of medical facilities and equipment. According to him, it is also a matter of human dignity, family welfare, community responsibility and national development.

He noted that the loss of a mother or newborn due to delayed access to emergency care can have far-reaching consequences for families and communities.

The Ga State Wulomo therefore called on traditional and religious leaders, community leaders and families to intensify public education on antenatal care, skilled delivery, emergency preparedness and timely referral of pregnant women who require specialised medical attention.

He particularly urged men to take a more active and responsible role in maternal health by supporting their wives and partners throughout pregnancy, assisting with preparations for delivery and ensuring that medical attention is sought promptly when complications arise.

“Maternal health is not the responsibility of women alone. Men, families, communities and leaders all have a role to play in ensuring that every mother receives the care and support she needs,” Numo Kofi Okassa Diaka II said.

He further emphasised that the success of the initiative should ultimately be measured by lives saved and not only by the number of facilities, ambulances or resources provided. As a traditional medicine practitioner, he also cautioned pregnant women to seek maternal care early and avoid the use of traditional medicines during pregnancy, stressing that such practices may not be appropriate or safe for pregnant women without guidance from qualified health professionals.

Numo Kofi Okassa Diaka II assured the Government and its partners of the willingness of the Ga Traditional Area to contribute to efforts aimed at improving maternal and newborn health.

He also congratulated the Government, health professionals, development partners and all stakeholders involved in the initiative, expressing hope that the programme would make a meaningful contribution to reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths.

He concluded with a heartfelt call for collective action:

“May no mother lose her life because help came too late.”